Stoops’ latest contract extension, awarded in March, includes a clause that triggers an automatic one-year extension to the deal previously set to expire in June 2022 for any season his team wins at least seven games. Should Stoops’ team reach the 10-win plateau this season, the deal would be extended by another season.

“I’m always appreciative of that (support),” Stoops said. “This is a grind. It’s always tough. I’m committed to this place and taking it to another level. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Under the teams of the deal, Stoops’ salary for the extension will be $5 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The victory also earned Stoops a $250,000 bonus. He is due that payment for each UK victory starting with No. 7 in a season.

“I’m really thankful that he’s been tenacious in his approach to it, and we want to create stability,” UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart said of Stoops’ extension clause recently. “I think that’s a really big part of our plan: Creating people that want to be here and creating an opportunity for them to stay.”

When asked about his contract extension, Stoops went out of his way to thank the large number of Kentucky fans who made up more than half of the announced crowd of 27,346 at Vanderbilt Stadium.

“Walking out there today early and seeing the Big Blue Nation representing like that was just great to see,” Stoops said. “Our players really loved seeing that. There was a lot of blue out there. Really appreciate our support and thank them for hanging with us.

“Greatly appreciate it and appreciate the administration, what we’re doing. We’re trying to take this thing to another level, and we’re going to keep on working at it.”

Email Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonHale_CJ.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops talks with running back Sihiem King (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 23-13.